Backpacker Buzz

There is no other city like Paris. It has starred in movies and books since it was born, and its hype is only rivaled by its history. Some people love it, others hate it. And on my flight there from Glasgow, I still wasn't sure where I'd fall. 

I flew in late to warm temperatures - very nice after two weeks in Scotland - and when I woke up the next morning, there was not a cloud in the sky. I set out on a self-guided walking tour of the major sites. I can't be certain but it felt like a man with an accordion provided a soundtrack for me the entire way.

Fortunately many of these sites don't need much introduction. First I visited the Notre Dame cathedral (free entry), then walked across the square and dished out 8 Euros to get inside Sainte Chapelle, a gothic chapel whose upper floor includes some of the most incredible and detailed stained-glass work you'll ever see, considered to be the best of its kind in the world.

Then over to the Right Bank to swing by the Louvre. I intended to just walk by, but in doing so I learned the museum wasn't open the next day, when I planned to go inside, so out came more euros (nine) and I dove into the most visited museum in the world. I don't know why they don't do multi-day passes for this one, there's no way you could do it in a day and come out standing. I wandered around its many rooms for a couple hours before ascending into the daylight for some food. I wandered down Champs d'Eslysees, swung by the Arc de Triomphe and kept going until the Eiffel Tower was in front of me. 

It's one of the landmarks in the world that you know will be heavily touristed but that you still just have to see. Like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge or the Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty or Big Ben. They're the things of photos for the most part and I can't help but think an anti-climactic "yep, that's it..." when I see them but, once I got under it, the Eiffel Tower gave me goosebumps. Even though it looked exactly as it does in the photos, it was shorter than I expected, and much wider at the base but yep, that was it. It cost 13 euros to get to the top, and I'm sure the view is incredible but I couldn't justify that in my head. It's cheaper to walk up the stairs, but I couldn't really justify that either.

So, back to the Louvre to give it another go. I spent the better part of four hours in the museum and still barely covered two thirds. It's endless, and the building itself would be worth admiring on its own, nevermind all the stuff on the walls. 

I'm sure the beautiful weather helped, but I really liked Paris and with a bit of French comprehension under my belt, it was easy to get around and to talk to people. 

It ain't cheap, and it's teeming with tourists, but it's worth it. 

FUAJ runs three hostels in Paris and many others around the country.